Taye Diggs Responds to Backlash After Calling Son ‘Biracial, Not Black’

Taye Diggs is known for his charming disposition, but even that couldn’t save the Empire actor from public scrutiny after making controversial statements about son, Walker, whom he shares with Broadway star Idina Menzel.

The 46-year-old thespian came under fire in November 2015 after telling The Grio that he prefers his son be referred to as biracial or mixed but not Black, due to the confusion that could be brought about with the label.

“When you [call biracial kids Black], you risk disrespecting that one half of who you are and that’s my fear,” he explained. “I don’t want my son to be in a situation where he calls himself Black and everyone thinks he has a Black mom and a Black dad, and then they see a White mother, they wonder, ‘Oh, what’s going on?'”

Diggs was called out for weeks following his statement, recently telling BET he believes he was misunderstood.

“That happens. But that gives me an opportunity to talk about issues that we don’t really talk about.”

The actor also spoke on the now-infamous booty pic he posted to Instagram earlier this year, saying he had no clue it would be such a big deal.

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the privacy policy. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to all or some of the cookies, please refer to the privacy policy.
By closing this banner, scrolling on this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies.OkRead more